Battlestar Galactica Episode Guide

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The technical information for this compilation is taken from the original episodes of the series. Additional cast information was taken from Starlog's Photo Guidebook of TV Episode Guides, Vol. I, Epi-Log magazine, and other sources.

Cast:

Credits:

Episodes

Saga of a Star World

Airdate: September 17, 1978 (3 hours)

Written by: Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Richard A. Colla, Alan J. Levi (uncredited)

Guest cast: Jane Seymour (Serina), Ray Milland (Sire Uri), Lew Ayres (President Adar), Wilfrid Hyde-White (Sire Anton), John Fink (Dr. Paye), Rick Springfield (Zac), Randi Oakes (Blonde Taurus), Norman Stuart (Statesman), David Matthau (Operative), Chip Johnson (Warrior), Geoffrey Binney (Warrior), Paul Coufos (Pilot), Bruce Wright (Deck Hand), Carol Baxter (Woman in Elevator), Myrna Matthews (Little Supreme), Stephanie Spruill (Other Supreme), Patty Brooks (Big Supreme), Sandy Gimpel (Seetol), Dianne L. Burgdorf (Lotay), Ted White (Centurion), John Zenda (Dealer), René Assa (Gemon)

The story of how the 12 colonies of man are destroyed after a 1000 year war with the evil Cylon Empire. Through deceit, the Cylons are able to destroy the Colonies' entire fleet, except for the Battlestar Galactica, captained by Commander Adama. Adama gathers up the few remaining humans left on all the twelve worlds and embarks on a journey to find the mythical planet Earth, the supposed thirteenth colony of Mankind, lost ages ago when humans first left the motherworld, Kobol. With food and fuel running out, the fleet heads for an ore planet, Carillon, hoping to get what it needs. The Ovions, who populate the planet, are being controlled by the Cylons, who set a trap for the Galactica. The fleet gets food and fuel, and escapes, destroying Carillon and a Cylon Base Star.

Lost Planet of the Gods

Airdate: Part 1 - September 24, 1978, Part 2 - October 1, 1978

Written by: Glen A. Larson, Donald P. Bellisario

Directed by: Chris I. Nyby II

Guest cast: Jane Seymour (Serina), Sheila de Windt (Deitra), Janet Louise Johnson (Brie), Bruce Wright (Bay Technician), Paul Coufos (Guard), Jennifer Joseph (Female Warrior), Janet Lynn Curtis (Sorrell), Leann Hunley (Female Warrior), Gay Thomas (Female Warrior), Larry Manetti (Giles), Millicent Crisp (Female Warrior)

Apollo proposes to Serina, who he met in the pilot episode. She is the mother of Boxey. Meanwhile, Boomer and Jolly, returning from an advanced patrol, contract a disease and spread it to all the Viper pilots except Starbuck and Apollo. They discover a void in space, which Adama determines to be the way to Kobol. Apollo and Serina are married, a group of female shuttle pilots (Serina included) fly a Viper expedition to get help for the males, and the Galactica reaches Kobol. The Cylons, lead by Baltar, find the planet and destroy the pyramids of Kobol before Adama can find the whereabouts of Earth. Serina is killed, but the Galactica and fleet escape.

The Lost Warrior

Airdate: October 8, 1978

Teleplay by: Donald P. Bellisario

Story by: Donald P. Bellisario, Herman Groves

Directed by: Rod Holcomb

Guest cast: Johnny Timko (Puppis), Kathy Cannon (Vella), Lance LeGault (Bootes), Claude Earl Jones (Lacerta), Red West (Marco), Larry Manetti (Giles), Jason Donahue (Jason), Carol Baxter (Macy), Mary Kaye Mars (Vi), Rex Cutter (Red-Eye)

Apollo is marooned on a Western Frontier-like planet, where he meets a woman and her son. He discovers that a damaged Cylon, known as Red Eye has become the gun-slinger for the evil Lacerta, who runs the town. The woman's husband, a colonial warrior who also had been marooned had been killed by Red Eye, who thinks that Lacerta is Imperious Leader. Apollo challenges Red Eye to an Old West shootout. Apollo wins, and is rescued by the Galactica, leaving woman and son behind.

The Long Patrol

Airdate: October 15, 1978

Written by: Donald P. Bellisario

Directed by: Chris I. Nyby II

Guest cast: James Whitmore, Jr. (Robber), Ted Gehring (Croad), Sean McClory (Assault), Arlene Martel (Adulteress), Ian Ambercrombie (Forger), Robert Hathaway (Enforcer), Nancy DeCarl (Slayer), Cathy Paine (Voice of C.O.R.A.), John Holland (Waiter)

Starbuck is assigned to test a new ultra-fast Viper with a talking computer named CORA and devoid of laser turrets. While testing it, he meets a bootlegger named Robber who steals the Viper. Starbuck is then arrested by Enforcers of the prison asteroid Proteus. All the prisoners are the descendants of the original prisoners, who stay in jail and make ambrosia. Starbuck escapes and Apollo and Boomer fly by to fight off attacking Cylon fighters.

Gun on Ice Planet Zero

Airdate: Part 1 - October 22, 1978, Part 2 - October 29, 1978

Teleplay by: Michael Sloan, Donald P. Bellisario, Glen A. Larson

Story by: John Ireland, Jr.

Directed by: Alan J. Levi

Guest cast: Roy Thinnes (Croft), James Olson (Thane), Christine Belford (Leda), Richard Lynch (Wolfe), Denny Miller (Ser 5-9), Britt Ekland (Tenna), Dan O'Herlihy (Dr. Ravishol), Larry Manetti (Giles), Alan Stock (Cadet Cree), Curtis Credel (Haals), Jeff Mackay (Cpl. Komma), Larry Cedar (Cadet Shields), Alex Hyde-White (Cadet Bow), Patrick Milholland (Killian), Walt Davis (Vickers)

Baltar attempts to lure the Galactica into range of a gigantic pulsar cannon, which Adama becomes aware of. Apollo and Starbuck lead a group of convicts on a possible suicide mission to destroy the cannon, located on an icy planet. They join forces with a society of clones enslaved by the Cylons and destroy the cannon.

The Magnificent Warriors

Airdate: November 12, 1978

Written by: Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Chris I. Nyby II

Guest cast: Barry Nelson (Bogan), Brett Somers (Siress Belloby), Dennis Fimple (Duggy), Eric Server (Dipper), Olan Soulé (Carmichael), Rance Howard (Farnes), Ben Frommer (Nogow)

A Cylon attack destroys most of the fleet's food supply. The Galactica finds a rural planet to trade for grain, but Adama must put up with a lovesick old acquaintance (Siress Belloby) who has the equipment. However, the people of the town they go to (Serenity) are being plagued by the Borays, a group of pig-like marauders. Starbuck is conned into being their sheriff, an occupation which has a short life span. The Borays kidnap Belloby, and the Galacticans rescue her, making a deal with the Borays. (Their leader becomes the new sheriff.)

The Young Lords

Airdate: November 19, 1978

Written by: Donald P. Bellisario, Frank Lupo, Paul Playdon

Directed by: Donald P. Bellisario

Guest cast: Audrey Landers (Miri), Charles Bloom (Kyle), Bruce Glover (Megan), Brigitte Muller (Ariadne), Jonathan B. Woodward (Robus), Adam Mann (Nilz)

Starbuck crashes on the planet Trillion where the Cylons have destroyed all the humans except for a band of children who have become warriors to save their enslaved father. At first, the oldest boy, their leader, wants to trade Starbuck for their father. But Starbuck convinces them to go along with a scheme of his, and they rescue the children's father. Then Apollo and Boomer come to rescue Starbuck.

The Living Legend

Airdate: Part 1 - November 26, 1978, Part 2 - December 3, 1978

Teleplay by: Glen A. Larson

Story by: Ken Pettus, Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Vince Edwards

Guest cast: Lloyd Bridges (Cdr. Cain), Jack Stauffer (Bojay), Rod Haase (Tolan), Junero Jennings (Helmsman), Ted Hamaguchi (Helmsman)

Apollo and Starbuck, while on patrol, encounter the supposedly lost Battlestar Pegasus, commanded by the living legend, Commander Cain. Cain insists that the two battlestars join forces to crush the Cylon Empire, or more notably, the planet Gamoray to begin with. Adama, however, fears that the Cylons may attack the unprotected fleet while the battlestars are away. Cain takes steps to assure his plans, and is relieved of duty. The Cylons do attack the fleet (with 3 Base Stars), and the Pegasus is pulled out to surprise the Cylons. This works, and the fleet is saved. Then they launch a surprise attack on Gamoray while the Pegasus takes on the three Base Stars. The Galactica obtains fuel from Gamoray, but the Pegasus disappears after destroying two of the Cylon ships. Baltar, on board the third, narrowly escapes, and no one is sure whether the Pegasus is destroyed, or has headed back out to the stars.

Fire in Space

Airdate: December 17, 1978

Teleplay by: Terrence McDonnell, Jim Carlson

Story by: Michael Sloan

Directed by: Chris I. Nyby II

Guest cast: William Bryant (Fire Leader), Jeff Mackay (Fire Fighter)

A Cylon kamikazee attack leaves the Galactica burning in space, with no way to extinguish the blaze. Furthermore, Adama is gravely injured. Boomer, Athena, and Boxey are also trapped inside the Rec Room. Apollo and Starbuck extinguish the fire by blowing holes in the ship, and Adama is saved. The people in the Recreation Room are saved by Muffy the Daggit.

War of the Gods

Airdate: Part 1 - January 14, 1979, Part 2 - January 21, 1979

Written by: Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Daniel Haller

Guest cast: Patrick Macnee (Count Iblis), John Williams (Statesman), Janet Louise Johnson (Brie), Jack Stauffer (Bojay), Kirk Alyn (Old Man), Paula Victor (Old Woman), Paul Coufos (Pilot), Chip Johnson (Pilot), Bruce Wright (Guard), Leann Hunley (Warrior), Olan Soulé (Carmichael), Norman Stuart (Statesman)

The fleet is plagued by a group of glowing lights that constantly fly past them too fast to be followed. Also, Vipers keep disappearing whenever they follow the lights. On a mission to find the men, Apollo, Starbuck, and Sheba find a desolate planet, and the remains of a ship wreck. There they find Count Iblis, who claims to be, if not a deity, then the next best thing. His mysterious powers sway the fleet, as he promises to deliver them if they will follow him. Adama doubts Iblis' word, but gives him the task of delivering the traitor Baltar, which he does. Everyone is ready to follow Iblis, but Adama and Apollo soon realize that Iblis is really the Prince of Darkness and that those 'lights' are after him. In a final battle, Iblis kills Apollo, then is taken away for killing someone who hasn't given himself freely. Starbuck and Sheba, while bringing Apollo's body back, are captured by the lights, who reveal themselves to be the good version of Iblis' type. They resurrect Apollo, and give the Galacticans the coordinates for Earth.

The Man with Nine Lives

Airdate: January 28, 1979

Written by: Donald P. Bellisario

Directed by: Rod Holcomb

Guest cast: Fred Astaire (Chameleon), Anne Jeffreys (Siress Blassie), Lance LeGault (Maga), Robert Feero (Bora), Anthony De Longis (Taba), Bruce Wright (Cpl. Lomas), Dan Barton (Crewman), Patricia Stich (Zara), Ted Parker (Zed), Leann Hunley (Warrior), Alex Hyde-White (Warrior), John Holland (Waiter), Lynn Halpern (Pyramid Dealer)

An old con man, Chameleon, is running from a trio of bloodthirsty Borellians when he meets Starbuck. To gain refuge on the Galactica, he convinces Starbuck that he is his long-lost father. He is brought on board to confirm the story, and the Borellians get on board by joining the Viper pilot training program. The Borellians are captured and put on board the Prison Barge, and Chameleon admits to his con and leaves. Cassiopea tells him that he really is Starbuck's father, but no one ever tells.

Murder on the Rising Star

Airdate: February 18, 1979

Teleplay by: Donald P. Bellisario, Jim Carlson, Terrence McDonnell

Story by: Michael Sloan

Directed by: Rod Holcomb

Guest cast: Brock Peters (Solon), W. K. Stratton (Barton), Ben Frank (Chella/Riftis), Lyman Ward (Pallon/Karibdis), Frank Ashmore (Flt. Sgt. Ortega), Jeff Mackay (Corp. Komma), Newell Alexander (Elias), Ted Parker (Zed), Patricia Stich (Zara), Ted Noobe (Officiator), Paul LeClair (Guard)

Ortega, Starbuck's rival in the popular sport Triad is murdered, and all the evidence points to Starbuck. Apollo is about the only one who believes Starbuck, and sets out to find the real killer. With Baltar's help, it is discovered that Ortega was blackmailing a man who had taken bribes to let people on board his ship during the exodus from the Colonies. This man killed Ortega, and is captured when he attempts to kill Baltar, the only other man who can identify him.

Greetings from Earth

Airdate: February 25, 1979 (2 hours)

Written by: Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Rod Holcomb

Guest cast: Ray Bolger (Vector), Randolph Mantooth (Michael), Kelly Harmon (Sarah), Murray Matheson (Geller), Lesley Woods (Aggie Moreland), Frank Marth (Josh Moreland), Curt Lowens (Krebbs), Lloyd Bochner (Commandant Leiter), Bobby Van (Hector), Gary Vinson (Doyle), Alex Rodine (Lanceman), Lester Fletcher (Donner), Michelle Larson (Charity), Gillian Greene (Melanie), Eric Larson (Todd), Kimberly Woodward (Loma), David Larson (Walker), Donald Mantooth (Medtech), Ron Kelly (Reese)

Apollo and Starbuck find a primitive sleeper ship carrying a man, a woman, and four children. It is taken aboard, and is believed to be from Earth. The council wants to open the ship, even though it might kill the inhabitants. Adama will not allow this. Dr. Wilker and Dr. Salik discover that the inhabitants cannot survive in their atmosphere. Apollo, Starbuck, and Cassiopea steal the ship, and continue with it to it's destination, Paradeen. The male, Michael, informs the Galacticans that they are originally from Terra, but have fled the war with the Eastern Alliance (an evil government), who are killing the democratic Nationalists. An Eastern Alliance ship follows the sleeper ship and captures the party. However, the Galacticans are able to then capture the Alliance men, and take them back to the fleet in their own ship, and imprison them on the Prison Barge. The fleet then continues on to Terra, gaining the location from Michael.

Baltar's Escape

Airdate: March 11, 1979

Written by: Donald P. Bellisario

Directed by: Winrich Kolbe

Guest cast: Ina Balin (Siress Tinia), Lloyd Bochner (Commandant Leiter), John Hoyt (Sire Domra), Robert Feero (Bora), Anthony De Longis (Taba), Lance LeGault (Maga), Bruce Wright (Guard), Ron Kelly (Reese), Mitchell Reta (Control Operation), Paul Tinder (Guard), Paul LeClair (Guard)

Adama is besieged by the troublesome Siress Tinia, who is appointed by the Council of Twelve to watch over him. Meanwhile, Baltar plans his escape with the help of the three Borellians and the Alliance Enforcers. Thanks to the Council's interference, hostages are taken, and Adama is forced to give in. Baltar is to escape in his fighter, along with his Centaurians, while the rest go in the Alliance ship. The Alliance ship is able to take off, but Baltar's escape is foiled because the Centurians had been disassembled and, when put back together, didn't quite function up to par.

Experiment in Terra

Airdate: March 18, 1979

Written by: Glen A. Larson

Directed by: Rod Holcomb

Guest cast: Melody Anderson (Brenda Maxwell), Peter D. MacLean (President Arends), Edward Mulhare (John), Nehemiah Persoff (Eastern Alliance Leader), Logan Ramsey (Moore), Ken Swoffard (Gen. Maxwell), Sidney Clute (Stone), Ken Lynch (Dr. Horning), Jordan Rhodes (Brace), John DeLancie (Officer), Russ Martin (Alliance member), Milt Janin (Alliance Leader)

Apollo and Starbuck follow the escaped Eastern Alliance ship back to Terra. Before reaching it, they are picked up by the race of white lights that had helped them against Count Iblis. Their representative, John, asks Apollo to help avert a war that would destroy Terra. He is sent down, appearing to all of the inhabitants as a man they had thought was dead. He is unable to convince anyone, and is thrown in prison. Starbuck rescues him, and they call the Galactica to try to help before Armageddon occurs. The President of the Western people has made a treaty with the Eastern Alliance, in which all hostilities will stop. However, the Eastern Alliance is lying, and plans to strike when the guard is down. Apollo lectures the people of how his own race was tricked, and before anything can be done, the Eastern Alliance fires its warheads. The Galactica is able to destroy all the bombs, and the frightened world powers open their eyes and talk peace. In return for their help, John tells Apollo that Terra is not the Earth that they are searching for.

Take the Celestra

Airdate: April 1, 1979

Teleplay by: Jim Carlson, Terrence McDonnell

Story by: David S. Arthur, David G. Phinney, Jim Carlson, Terrence McDonnell

Directed by: Daniel Haller

Guest cast: Paul Fix (Cdr. Kronus), Nick Holt (Charka), Ana Alicia (Aurora), Randy Stumpf (Damon), Richard Styles (Hermes), James R. Parkes (Mutineer), Michael Horsley (Mutineer), Ted Hamaguchi (Helmsman), Robert Murvin (Duty officer)

Starbuck runs in to his long-lost love, Aurora, who is supposedly found to be a traitor on board the Celestra. It is discovered that the captain of the Celestra, Kronus, runs the ship like a dictator, and Aurora and friends are a liberation force. It is learned that a junior officer is really the one mistreating the crew, and that Kronus is only an iron-fisted leader. Apollo and Starbuck help defeat the evil members of the Celestra.

The Hand of God

Airdate: April 29, 1979

Written by: Donald P. Bellisario

Directed by: Donald P. Bellisario

Tired of running from the Cylons, Adama decides to have it out for the last time. Using Baltar's ship, Apollo and Starbuck sneak on board the following Base Star, and sabotage its scanners. The Galactica then destroys the Base Star, and Apollo and Starbuck are barely saved.